Canada’s leading toy and juvenile products retailer collaborates with Starlight Children’s FoundationTM Canada to provide customers with a unique way to give back during the holiday season

TORONTO, ON– In line with the spirit of Giving Tuesday, Toys“R”Us, Canada, in partnership with Starlight Children’s Foundation™ Canada, has launched its 16th annual Star campaign in Toys“R”Us and Babies“R”Us stores across the nation. The program, which runs until December 29, allows customers to purchase stars in-store or online by providing a donation value of their choice. All proceeds go directly to Starlight Canada.

Since introducing the program during the 1998 holiday season, Toys“R”Us, Canada and its customers have been able to raise more than eleven million dollars for Starlight —with one and a half million dollars being raised last year alone. All the proceeds from the Star campaign will go towards funding Starlight’s in and out-of-hospital programming, which includes fun kits (child essentials for unexpected hospital stays), hospital grants (funds for hospitals across the country to use on what kids need most), Fun Centres (equipped with a dvd player, Nintendo Wii, games and movies) and Day Brighteners (tickets to sports games, concerts and more).

“This holiday campaign is crucial in funding essential programming that supports tens of thousands of seriously ill children and their families all through 2014,” said Brian Bringolf, executive director, Starlight Canada. “We’re so grateful for the generosity of Toys“R”Us employees and their customers in helping make this campaign a monumental success each and every year.”

”By supporting Starlight Canada’s in and out-of-hospital programming and hospital grants, we focus our efforts on helping children in our communities,” said Mary Hewton, vice president human resources, Toys“R”Us, Canada. “In November and December, Toys“R”Us employees will act as Starlight Canada ambassadors, raising awareness in-store, online and through many ‘fun’-raising events.”

Customers are able to participate in the Star campaign by visiting Toys“R”Us and Babies“R”Us stores across the country and through http://toysrus.ca/star.

About Starlight Children’s Foundation Canada:

Starlight Children’s Foundation Canada is a charitable organization that brightens the lives of seriously ill children and their families in communities across Canada. We are the only charity in Canada that helps seriously ill children in and out of hospital, from diagnosis throughout the course of their care journey.

Toys“R”Us (Canada) Ltd., is part of Toys“R”Us, Inc., the world’s leading dedicated toy and juvenile products retailer. Toys“R”Us, Canada operates over 80 stores across the country. For store locations and convenient online shopping visit www.toysrus.ca or www.babiesrus.ca